Manchester City are preparing themselves for Fernandinho’s departure this summer with Ismael Bennacer, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot and Douglas Luiz lined up as potential replacements, but Sky Sports say City ‘continue to monitor’ Denis Zakaria too.
The 24-year-old has been a regular at Borussia Monchengladbach this season and is approaching the last year of his deal, so he might be granted a departure in the coming months rather than be allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2022.
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Zakaria joined Gladbach from BSC Young Boys in 2017 and has gone on to make 120 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and supplying six assists (Transfermarkt).
The Swiss international has played in 24 of his side’s 38 games across the board this season, winning 10/22 aerial duels, making 12/19 successful dribbles, blocking four shots, making 19 clearances, averaging a tackle (18) or interception (10) every 32 minutes and being dribbled past only seven times (WhoScored).
Zakaria has been dribbled past few times than Fernandinho (15) and Rodri (27), so he’d be a great addition to City’s midfield. He has an asking price of €50m (£43m), but that figure may be negotiable as there’s little over a year remaining on his contract.